by AP

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Team president Andy Roeser speaks at a press conference introducing Chris Paul as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 15, 2011 at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center in Playa Vista, California. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The NBA says Los Angeles Clippers President Andy Roeser is taking an indefinite leave of absence as the franchise tries to stabilize following owner Donald Sterling's ban.

The league announced last week that it was working with the Clippers to appoint a new CEO. NBA spokesman Mike Bass says in a statement Tuesday that Roeser's leave of absence, which begins immediately, "will provide an opportunity for a new CEO to begin on a clean slate and for the team to stabilize under difficult circumstances."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life and urged owners to force him to sell the Clippers for racist remarks he made.

Roeser is one of the league's longest-tenured executives, having just completed his 30th season with the team.

The Clippers lead Oklahoma City 1-0 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals.